Antineoplastic Agents

Antineoplastic agents are a large group of compounds having different structures but with one common antineoplastic property, namely, to inhibit the proliferation of malignant cells. Through other mechanisms, these agents disrupt DNA replication, inhibiting the cell's metabolism, or inhibiting the essential enzymatic process of the cell. For example, alkylating agents, including bendamustine and dacarbazine, introduce alkyl groups to DNA which causes breakage of the strand and death of the alkylated cell.

Fludarabine phosphate and azathioprine are antimetabolites that mimic the natural substrates and thereby block the synthesis of nucleic acid and inhibit the growth of tumours. These agents have proved efficacious in a variety of malignancies and thus are key components to chemotherapy regimens.

Applications of antineoplastic agents include:

● Treatment of hematologic cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

● It is used in the management of solid tumours such as breast, lung and colorectal cancers.

● Conditioning before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

● Preventive maintenance therapy for cancer recurrence.

● It’s in combination with other therapeutic modalities, such as radiation and immunotherapy, for the sake of enhancing treatment efficacy.